Week 3: Odori Park

Week 1 and 2 entries should be up soon. But while you're waiting for those, enjoy this video clip I made today.



I stopped to record the fountain because it reminded me of the Bellagio fountains, sans the music. But I ended up recording this little girl playing with the pigeons, which I realize now is probably more interesting than the fountain. Near the end of the video she yelps because the birds flies close to her face. After I ended the video, she and the parents began to leave but she was lingering behind, still wanting to play with the pigeons. Reluctantly, she said "Bai bai" as if they were her friends.

To get to school, I ride the subway from Asabu, the northernmost stop, transfer at Odori and then take a westbound subway to Maruyama Park. I got into a routine and didn't think twice about checking things above ground but today I made an exception; had to pay extra $2 for another subway ticket but I think the pictures were worth it.

I think I could equate Odori Koen as the Hokkaido or Sapporo equivalent of Central Park. 12 blocks long, artificial, and in the middle of a bustling city. Only difference is that it's broken up by streets, and there's less grass but more flowers. Still salarymen, highschoolers and the elderly alike sit, relax, talk and loiter. The delicious smell of roasting corn was in the air. I desperately wanted some, but I knew I would have a big-ish dinner waiting for me once I returned home.

As I suspected, the ends of the park were the most decorated and carefully attended to. The middle parts, not so much, it was also less crowded there. In the middle there's a lot more concrete and open area where it's easier to set up for matsuri's or festivals. I think they happen pretty periodically.